Dekorativt udkast med djævleunger, der binder en spand til en hunds hale. Rom 1851

This is Lorenz Frølich's drawing, Dekorativt udkast med djævleunger, der binder en spand til en hunds hale. Rom, made in Rome in 1851. Frølich’s image presents a tension between the aesthetic of classical, decorative art and the cruel subject matter. Winged infants are playfully depicted tormenting dogs, evoking a discomforting mix of innocence and malice. This contrast invites us to consider the darker aspects of human nature and the different ways we express power dynamics. The theme might reflect the social and political contexts of the time, when there was widespread poverty and social inequality. The fact that Frølich made this sketch in Rome could be relevant, too. Maybe this drawing reflects on how the artist viewed the lives of children and animals within the rigid structures of 19th-century European society. Frølich’s drawing invites reflection on the interplay between beauty and cruelty, urging us to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and society.